Heather Mitchell Studio

Delighted to have this pastel selected in the Boldbrush competition’s FAV15 for March. “Bird Alight” was chosen as part of the jury’s favorite 15% of the entries. See the exhibit at FASO.com/boldbrush.

🎉 I earned the emerging talent badge this week—THANKS TO ALL OF YOU who responded to my posts—recognizing me for creating engaging content that sparks an interest among my fans! I appreciate you every time, badge or not.

I’m excited and thankful to have been awarded First Place in the Gulf Breeze Celebrates the Arts festival’s indoor show, judged by the esteemed Jeff Bass. Thanks also to the talented Lynn Zehr for her encouragement.

So birds make me happy. Specifically egrets and herons. I also like painting dogs and cats and waves…but I keep coming back to my birds. At what point is it considered -officially- an obsession? I’ll be here drawing while you decide.

Here is a small painting I’m working on as a study for a larger project. As many times as I paint egrets, I learn something new with each piece. This gentle bird primped and posed for me while I looked on in awe as the late afternoon light played through her feathers.

I vividly remember the stillness and peace I felt in this egret’s presence. Taking my own photos in preparation for the artwork is an important part of process. The experience of being there infuses itself into the artwork. This pastel painting is 8” x 10” and available.

This is my other pastel piece that was accepted into the Juried Members exhibit at the Eastern Shore Art Center. I’m so excited to be part of this exhibit, which runs through April 24.

Back in my happy zone, playing with pastel pencils and PanPastels on Pastelmat. I love the greens in the Great Egret’s lore during mating season.